EP3307203B1 - Nozzle for an oral cleaning device - Google Patents

Nozzle for an oral cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3307203B1
EP3307203B1 EP16738546.7A EP16738546A EP3307203B1 EP 3307203 B1 EP3307203 B1 EP 3307203B1 EP 16738546 A EP16738546 A EP 16738546A EP 3307203 B1 EP3307203 B1 EP 3307203B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
nozzle
hydrophobic
regions
droplets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16738546.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3307203A1 (en
Inventor
Brian Johanski
Anandh BALAKRISHNAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Publication of EP3307203A1 publication Critical patent/EP3307203A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/02—Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication
    • A61C17/0202—Hand-pieces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/02—Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication
    • A61C17/028—Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication with intermittent liquid flow

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is directed generally to oral care appliances for cleaning teeth using coordinated bursts of air and fluid, and particularly to a nozzle design that recaptures and utilizes residual liquid.
  • US 2011/0117517 A1 discloses a liquid jet apparatus for dental treatments.
  • the nozzle or surface portions adjacent the liquid
  • the nozzle can be formed from a hydrophobic material.
  • WO 98/53901 discloses an ultrafiltration device for the sterilization of water, comprising a filter housing provided with an inlet and an outlet connection and provided in said filter housing a bundle of capillary ultrafiltration membranes. At least one hydrophobic capillary membrane is included in the bundle of capillary hydrophilic ultrafiltration membranes.
  • Periodontal diseases are thought to be infectious diseases caused by bacteria present in dental plaques and biofilms. Removal of dental plaques and biofilms is highly important for the health of oral cavities. Tooth brushing is a highly effective method to remove dental plaque and biofilms from the teeth, provided the oral cleaning device is actually used in such a fashion to reach all areas where plaque resides.
  • Oral cleaning devices that clean the teeth with streams or bursts of liquid or a mixture of liquid droplets and air are effective at disrupting dental plaques and biofilm in the oral cavity, particularly in the interproximal areas of the teeth. These devices generally create liquid droplets when the liquid is brought into contact with a high velocity stream of air using a pump or similar arrangement.
  • Coordinated bursts of liquid and air use far less liquid per cleaning compared to a continuous stream of liquid. As a result, less liquid is used per cleaning and the user does not accumulate an uncomfortable volume of liquid in the mouth. This is particularly beneficial if the liquid is a mouthwash or similar liquid which shouldn't be swallowed by the user. Additionally, the alternating bursts of air and liquid provide superior dental plaques and biofilm removal and interdental cleaning.
  • Existing oral cleaning devices using coordinated bursts of liquid and air typically have a nozzle or other elongated structure that connects the handle of the device and an opening at the distal end of the nozzle through which the bursts of liquid and air are delivered to the teeth and gums. Between bursts, and/or when the cleaning device is turned off, residual liquid collects in the nozzle or elongated structure. Rather than forming a droplet of liquid that can be utilized during a subsequent burst, this residual water must be cleared from the nozzle or elongated structure.
  • the present disclosure is directed to inventive oral cleaning devices with nozzles that break a burst of liquid into multiple optimal sized bursts of liquid, or recapture residual liquid and configure the recaptured liquid into multiple droplets of liquid for subsequent use.
  • Various embodiments and implementations herein are directed to oral cleaning devices in which the nozzle is structured to automatically recapture the liquid that remains in the nozzle after a previous burst.
  • the nozzle contains a structure such as patterned hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic regions, or patterned regions of alternating texture, that configure the residual liquid into multiple droplets that will form part of the coordinated bursts of liquid and air in the use of the device.
  • the oral cleaning device can conserve liquid and deliver multiple optimally sized droplets or shots during use.
  • the present disclosure describes various embodiments of an oral cleaning device that delivers coordinated bursts of liquid and air. More generally, Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide an oral cleaning device in which the nozzle is structured to recapture residual liquid and automatically configure the recaptured liquid into small droplets of liquid that will be utilized as bursts or pulses of liquid in the next cleaning session. A particular goal of utilization of certain embodiments of the present disclosure is to conserve liquid and deliver more bursts or pulses during use, therefore more efficiently cleaning the oral cavity, particularly the interdental spaces.
  • the improved nozzle design can split a single "shot” of fluid into two separate shots, thereby increasing impact and improving performance.
  • Various embodiments and implementations may utilize hydrophobic structures or other means in the nozzle to create an air gap the residual liquid (for example, "water slug") in the nozzle, splitting it into two droplets and thereby two shots of liquid in a burst. This provides for better impact forces and better plaque removal.
  • the improved nozzle design disclosed and described herein can be used with any oral care appliance for cleaning teeth using coordinated bursts of air and fluid.
  • One example of an oral care appliance that the improved nozzle design can be used with is any Philips Airfloss ® device.
  • FIG. 1 in one embodiment, is a schematic cutaway representation of an oral cleaning device 10.
  • Oral cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle 30 and a handle 40.
  • device 10 uses a mechanical spring-drive system 13 in the handle 40 to create the selected liquid droplet spray mode for dental cleaning.
  • the mechanical spring-drive system 13 includes a motor and gear train arrangement with a drive gear, a plunger/piston that acts against a compression spring.
  • a control unit 15 is included between a battery and the motor for control of the operation of the appliance.
  • control unit 15 can be activated or controlled by a power button or similar element 17 used to actuate the device. Movement of the spring-drive system 13 draws air into the device 10.
  • device 10 is shown using a mechanical spring-drive system 13 to create the selected liquid droplet spray mode for dental cleaning in this embodiment, other systems to create coordinated bursts of liquid and air are possible.
  • elongated nozzle 30 extends outwardly from the device and can have a curved portion 32 at the distal end thereof, through which a spray of liquid droplets is directed for cleaning action against dental regions of the teeth.
  • the curved portion 32 assists in convenient positioning of the nozzle 30 in the mouth by the user.
  • Inlet orifice 36 can vary in size, typically between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
  • Device 10 also includes an internal liquid reservoir 38 for a liquid such as water, mouthwash, cleaning liquid, or other liquid. Liquid in the reservoir is moved to the vicinity of the inlet orifice 36. When the spring-drive system 13 releases, air is expelled at high speed toward the inlet orifice 36. When the fast-moving air comes into contact with the liquid from the internal reservoir 38 which is adjacent inlet orifice 36, a spray of liquid droplets is produced which is expelled out through the nozzle 30.
  • a liquid such as water, mouthwash, cleaning liquid, or other liquid.
  • the liquid droplets can be of various sizes, and the speed of the droplets can vary from relatively low speed, e.g. 10 meters per second, to a high speed of 200 meters per second or even greater. Typically, however, a 50 m/sec droplet velocity with droplets in a size range of 5 microns-0.5 mm will provide effective dental cleaning.
  • the nozzle 30 of oral cleaning device 10 is the nozzle 30 of oral cleaning device 10.
  • the nozzle can have a curved portion 32 at the distal end, through which a spray of liquid droplets is directed for cleaning action against dental regions of the teeth, and which assists in positioning of the nozzle 30 in the mouth by the user.
  • the distal end also includes an outlet orifice 42 through which the coordinated liquid droplets and air are directed. Outlet orifice 42 can vary in size.
  • Nozzle 30 can include a conduit 44 for the transmission of the coordinated liquid droplets and air from inlet orifice 36 at the proximal end 33 of the nozzle to outlet orifice 42 at the distal end of the nozzle.
  • Conduit 44 can be the same diameter as nozzle 30, or can have a diameter smaller than nozzle 30, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a nozzle 30 with residual liquid 46 which remains inside the nozzle after a liquid air burst has been delivered.
  • residual liquid 46 may be dispersed within the nozzle, can be a single large pool of liquid, can be several droplets of liquid (referred to as a "slug"), or a plurality of very small droplets of liquid.
  • the droplets are typically too small to be useful when the oral cleaning device is used again and these droplets are expelled from outlet orifice 42.
  • nozzle 30 structured or configured to recapture the residual liquid and form or configure it into one or more optimally sized droplets 46a, 46b.
  • nozzle 30 includes one or more structures 50a and 50b which cause residual liquid 46 remaining inside the nozzle after a burst to automatically form into one or more optimally sized droplets 46a, 46b.
  • the structures 50 can be any number of regions from two to many regions, and can be alternating, or arranged in other patterns.
  • the desired number and position of regions can be determined experimentally, and may depend on factors such as desired droplet size, the diameter of nozzle 30, the average volume of liquid remaining after a burst, and a wide variety of other factors.
  • the size and/or shape of the automatically formed droplets 46a, 46b can be influenced or determined by the spacing and location of the regions. For example, regions that are spaced further apart may result in larger droplets, while regions that are spaced closer together may result in smaller droplets. According to an embodiment, the spacing of the regions can be determined experimentally, and may depend on factors such as desired droplet size, the diameter of nozzle 30, the average volume of liquid remaining after a burst, and a wide variety of other factors.
  • structures 50a and 50b are hydrophobic regions of nozzle 30.
  • structures 50a and 50b may include or comprise a lining or coating that is substantially hydrophobic.
  • the hydrophobicity of structures 50a and 50b automatically repels residual liquid 46 and causes it to cluster in the non-hydrophobic regions 50c and 50d of nozzle 30, thereby forming discreet droplets 46a, 46b.
  • the formed droplets can then be delivered in the next activation of the oral cleaning device 10, at which time they will be expelled from outlet orifice 42 and used in a pattern of coordinated bursts of liquid and air.
  • the hydrophobicity of structures 50a and 50b can be of a nature that it does not interfere with delivery of bursts during use of the device.
  • structures 50a and 50b can be structured or configured such that they do not disturb the size, shape, or configuration of liquid droplets during use of oral cleaning device 10.
  • the hydrophobicity can be introduced by any material, coating, lining, or other structure sufficient to repel the liquid.
  • structures 50a and 50b may include or comprise a wax-like substance or material, a Teflon ® coating, or any of a wide variety of materials.
  • structures 50a and 50b may include or comprise a lining or coating that is substantially hydrophilic.
  • the hydrophilic nature of structures 50a and 50b automatically attracts residual liquid 46 and causes it to cluster in the hydrophilic regions of nozzle 30, thereby forming discreet droplets 46a, 46b.
  • the formed droplets can then be delivered in the next activation of the oral cleaning device 10, at which time they will be expelled from outlet orifice 42 and used in a pattern of coordinated bursts of liquid and air.
  • the hydrophilic forces of structures 50a and 50b can be of a nature that it does not interfere with delivery of bursts during normal use of the device.
  • structures 50a and 50b can be structured or configured such that they do not disturb the size, shape, or configuration of liquid droplets during use of oral cleaning device 10.
  • the material, coating, lining, or other structure can be any material that attracts the liquid.
  • structures 50a and 50b are super-smooth or super-rough regions of nozzle 30.
  • structures 50a and 50b comprise a super-rough microscopic or nanoscopic architecture on their surfaces that minimizes liquid's adhesion to that surface. Referred to as the "lotus effect," these rough surfaces result in hydrophobicity or superhydrophobicity as a result of the very high contact angles between the surface and the liquid. Due to the hydrophobicity of the super-rough regions, the residual liquid 46 in nozzle 30 will not collect on structures 50a and 50b, instead collecting in discreet droplets of a desired size in the alternating, neighboring regions 50c, 50d.
  • the super-rough regions can be created using microscopic or nanoscopic architectures, or a combination of these architectures and coatings such as fluorochemical or silicone treatments, among many other possible coatings.
  • the one or more structures 50a and 50b are configured or structured to interact differently with different liquids.
  • the structure may only exert a hydrophobic or other automatic organizing force on a liquid comprising mostly water, and may exert little or no force on another liquid such as a mouthwash.
  • the liquid and/or the one or more structures 50a and 50b can be specifically designed to control the properties of the liquid in nozzle 30.
  • the one or more structures 50a and 50b in the nozzle are patterned or random hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic regions, or patterned or random textured regions, that break down a burst of liquid into multiple optimal sized bursts, and/or configure residual liquid into multiple droplets.
  • structures 50a and 50b can be a pattern of hydrophobic regions, hydrophilic regions, or alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, where each region is separated from a neighboring region by the same spacing.
  • structures 50a and 50b form a pattern where each region is separated from a neighboring region by variable distances.
  • structures 50a and 50b form a pattern where the regions are randomly spaced.
  • structures 50a and 50b can be any random or non-random pattern of textures, including but not limited to smooth and/or rough regions.
  • the structures can be a combination of textured regions, hydrophobic regions, and/or hydrophilic regions.
  • the one or more structures 50a and 50b in nozzle 30 exert a force on the liquid that is passing through the nozzle during use of oral cleaning device 10. This effect may be in conjunction with, or entirely separate from, recapture of residual liquid 46.
  • the one or more structures 50a and 50b in nozzle 30 could assist in the formation of liquid droplets of a desired size and/or shape during use of the device.
  • the one or more structures 50a and 50b can cause the liquid pulses or bursts to become smaller or larger.
  • the liquid droplets may decrease in size and/or change shape as they pass through the hydrophobic regions. These smaller droplets may be more efficient at cleaning the mouth.
  • the oral cleaning device 10 does not include a system that disperses the liquid into coordinated bursts of liquid and air. Instead, the device uses a constant stream of liquid that is pushed from the interior of device 10 through nozzle 30 and out outlet orifice 42.
  • the nozzle 30 includes one or more structures 50a and 50b that cause dispersion of the liquid that is passing through the nozzle during use of oral cleaning device 10 into smaller droplets rather than a constant stream of liquid.
  • the hydrophobicity of one or more structures 50a and 50b can break the constant stream of liquid into smaller droplets of a desired size as the liquid passes through nozzle 30.
  • the liquid is configured into droplets, which are more efficient at cleaning the mouth, in the nozzle without other structures in the handle or elsewhere in the device.
  • the formation of droplets is accomplished entirely through one or more structures 50a and 50b.
  • the phrase "at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
  • This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)
EP16738546.7A 2015-06-15 2016-05-24 Nozzle for an oral cleaning device Active EP3307203B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562175499P 2015-06-15 2015-06-15
PCT/IB2016/053024 WO2016203327A1 (en) 2015-06-15 2016-05-24 Oral cleaning device with improved nozzle design

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3307203A1 EP3307203A1 (en) 2018-04-18
EP3307203B1 true EP3307203B1 (en) 2022-04-27

Family

ID=56409651

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16738546.7A Active EP3307203B1 (en) 2015-06-15 2016-05-24 Nozzle for an oral cleaning device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20200038155A1 (enExample)
EP (1) EP3307203B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JP7203495B2 (enExample)
CN (1) CN107743385B (enExample)
RU (1) RU2717639C2 (enExample)
WO (1) WO2016203327A1 (enExample)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102903698B1 (ko) 2024-11-06 2025-12-23 김우석 도금된 제품의 미세구멍 또는 미세요홈의 수세용 세정분사기

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD903098S1 (en) * 2016-05-11 2020-11-24 Derek Brian Tom Dental rinsing device
WO2021032757A1 (en) * 2019-08-20 2021-02-25 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Method and system for magnetorheological control of personal care device orifices
CN115211988A (zh) * 2021-04-19 2022-10-21 松下万宝美健生活电器(广州)有限公司 口腔清洗装置

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NL1006137C2 (nl) 1997-05-27 1998-12-01 Prime Water Systems N V Ultrafiltratie-inrichting.
US6432084B1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2002-08-13 Baxter International Inc. Non-newtonian fluid spray applicator and method
CA2553599C (en) * 2004-01-20 2013-07-02 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Droplet jet system for cleaning
JP2010508136A (ja) * 2006-10-25 2010-03-18 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ 高速ジェット噴射用装置のノズル
CA2712819C (en) * 2008-01-30 2013-07-23 Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Novel quinazoline-2,4-dione derivative, and medical compositions for the prophylaxis and treatment of cranial nerve disease containing the same
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CA2780800C (en) * 2009-11-13 2023-09-12 Sonendo, Inc. Liquid jet apparatus and methods for dental treatments
WO2013122125A1 (ja) 2012-02-14 2013-08-22 国立大学法人東北大学 ウォータージェット噴射ノズル、ウォータージェット噴射装置、消化管洗浄装置及び胃壁洗浄装置
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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102903698B1 (ko) 2024-11-06 2025-12-23 김우석 도금된 제품의 미세구멍 또는 미세요홈의 수세용 세정분사기

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2017143761A3 (enExample) 2019-10-21
JP7203495B2 (ja) 2023-01-13
RU2717639C2 (ru) 2020-03-24
CN107743385A (zh) 2018-02-27
CN107743385B (zh) 2022-04-08
RU2017143761A (ru) 2019-07-15
EP3307203A1 (en) 2018-04-18
US20200038155A1 (en) 2020-02-06
JP2018521703A (ja) 2018-08-09
WO2016203327A1 (en) 2016-12-22

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